This is a transcript of an oral history interview. The video recording is available here.

In the North Carolina Room at Pack Memorial Library on September 9, 2019, NC Room Collections Manager Zoe Rhine and Friends of the NC Room board member Joe Newman, interviewed Asheville native Clifford W. Cotton II, Stephens-Lee High School alumnus and grandson of West Asheville entrepreneur E.W. Pearson. 

Cliff recounts many memories of growing up in Asheville and on the path toward a career in music, for example, remembering Stephens-Lee band instructor teacher Madison "Doc" Lennon.

Any display, publication, or public use must credit Buncombe County Special Collections, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville, North Carolina. For permission for commercial use, or to remix, transform, or build upon materials, please contact Buncombe County Special Collections (BCSC). 

Digital copies of resources which are made available by BCSC include materials for which any of the following circumstances may apply: 1) the rights to the resource are held by BCSC; 2) the copyright holder has given BCSC permission to make the resource available for personal or research use; 3) the resource is available under an exception or limitation to US copyright law, such as 17 USC 107 and 17 USC 108(h); or 4) there are no known restrictions on use. BCSC is not liable for use or reproduction of this material if there is a claim by a third party. It is the user's responsibility to research copyright and seek permission from the copyright holder of any resource found on this site. 

BCSC adheres to U.S. copyright law and respects the copyright and intellectual property rights held by rights holders. If you believe that we have made a mistake and wish for your material to be removed from our site, please contact us with the URL for the item and the reason for the takedown request.